Researchers have discovered the most intact remains of three Triceratops almost 67 million years old in Newcastle, Wyoming.
Researchers say the discovery of the trio Triceratops is extra-ordinary, firstly because all three skeletons are so close together and secondly because they are one of the very few complete skeletons of the three-horned dinosaur to date.
These creatures lived over 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period and are known for their three-horned head. They are one of the last giant reptiles that existed in the ancient world. These dinosaurs generally grew 2.9 to 3.0 meters (9.5-9.8 feet) in height and 7.9 to 9.0 meters, (26.0-29.5 feet) in length. Due to their low-hanging head, they ate low growing plants.
The fossil remains of the trio Triceratops include two fully grown adults and one is probably a child. The researchers said that at least one of the three Triceratopses was attacked by a carnivorous predator.
The team of archeologists was guided to the site by rancher who had sent photos of the discovery to the Black Hills Institute located in neighboring South Dakota last year.
"There's only three other skeletons that will match the completeness of one of the specimens we're excavating right now," says Peter Larson, a paleontologist, (researcher of fossil animals and plants) and president of the Black Hills Institue of Geological Research. The evacuation is likely to continue for another month and post which it will be mounted into a display.
The discovery of the trio Triceratops found together gives new scope to find more evidence if they moved in groups. The genders of the three dinosaurs have not been confirmed yet, but Larson says the trio could be a male, female and their child or two females taking care of the small Triceratops.
"If you can imagine, this is a bone that is nearly four feet long," Larson said in a report from CNN, after looking at least two "bitten through" limb bones. But a T.rex "would kind of chop the carcass up with their giant, shearing jaws," tearing through flesh and bone alike.
"I think we also have a feeding site for Tyrannosaurus rex, which is very exciting," he added. "This is potentially a site where we can learn the behavior of two different species."
